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Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Flight Restrictions Will Close Katama Airfield Next Week
An unprecedented set of flight restrictions for the Vineyard announced yesterday will effectively shut down Katama Airfield for the duration of the Presidential visit from August 23 to August 30, and strictly regulate air travel to and from the Martha’s Vineyard airport, according to aviation experts.
A notice to airmen of a temporary flight restriction (TRF) released online yesterday morning by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) showed far stricter regulations than those enforced under President Clinton.
James Coyne, president of National Air Transportation, an organization which lobbies on behalf of general aviation businesses, argued that no flight restrictions have exceeded the scope and length of the TFR for the First Family visit.
“This is the most restrictive TFR we’ve seen. I can’t think of any example of such severe restrictions. It’s far, far more draconian than under Clinton,” he said.
It will also be the longest-running TFR according to Mr. Coyne, in place for the length of the President’s stay.
“It’s really unfortunate. It’s the height of the flight training and tours season; we’d hoped for some relief for the Katama tours,” added the former Republican congressman, who has a home on the Vineyard.
“It’s very disappointing for General Aviation.”
Martha’s Vineyard Airport facilities manager Sean Flynn, on the other hand, was not surprised.
“It’s everything we expected,” he said yesterday.
He agreed the restrictions were unfortunate for the Katama Airfield, but said for general aviation pilots looking to travel to the Martha’s Vineyard airport next week, it is simply a matter of preparation. “It’s about making sure the word gets out so that those planning to fly don’t miss the window to apply for waivers,” Mr. Flynn said.
The TFR sets up two levels of restricted fly zones — an outer perimeter of 30 miles in which all air travel is subject to flight plans and any aircraft must broadcast — or squawk — a discreet code with flight information from the flight transponder.
An inner core of 10 nautical miles around the airport prohibits travel without a waiver, with a few exceptions. Approved law enforcement aircraft, and military aircraft directly supporting the United States Secret Service or the office of the President are exempt, along with approved ambulance aircraft.
Also exempt are commercial airlines which are part of a Transportation Security Agency approved security program.
Both Cape Air and U.S. Airways Express are covered under these programs, Mr. Flynn said.
He said that by working with the FAA, the airport has been also able to make provisions for Angel Flights, the medical flights which take patients to appointments in Boston and elsewhere, including cancer patients receiving treatment.
“People seeking medical attention will be able to get off without a hitch so we’re happy about that,” said Mr. Flynn.
To qualify for a travel waiver pilots must send applications at least 72 hours ahead of time. All approved flights must stop at one of three gateway airports, for security screening: Westchester County airport, Barnstable airport and Green State airport.
In an additional quirk, all flights made using a travel waiver must leave a gateway airport before 8 p.m. Since the majority of air traffic through the airport is through general aviation — during the summer months, roughly 70 per cent of the traffic is general aviation (noncommercial) aircraft; a busy day in August last year saw 95 Cape Air flights, five U.S. Airways flights and 365 other operations at the Vineyard airport — this will mean effectively closing up a few hours early, according to Mr. Flynn.
“Hours of operation is one thing — that’s really restrictive,” said Mr. Flynn. “By 9 p.m. we’ll be done.”
The gateway provision puts pilots at Katama Airfield in a bind. Though there is screening facility at the Martha’s Vineyard airport, there is none at Katama. Since the airfield is positioned within the restriction zone, pilots cannot take off from the airport in order to go to one of portal airports to get clearance to fly within the restricted zone.
During Clinton visits temporary flight restrictions were in place only when the president was flying. There was an additional, smaller restriction in place around the First Family residence for the duration of visits. The Obama restriction is set at 18,000 feet, dramatically higher than during the Clinton years. Mr. Flynn said the extra height increases the scope of the cone-shaped restriction zone as it travels up, extending available reaction time against any possible threat.
“They want to know that all people in the air are authorized and they have time to deal with the threat,” he said.
Mr. Coyne called it overkill.
“I’m not convinced the risk is substantially different [from Clinton administration]; it was miniscule then and it’s miniscule now,” he said.
He argued that TFRs, although issued by the FAA, are structured by the Secret Service and marred by federal bureaucracy.
“I don’t think it’s anything more than security bureaucrats insisting on more restrictive because they can. It’s not clear the risk is any different the year before 9/11 as eight years after 9/11,” he said.
He said the restrictions fail to adequately account for the fact that the Vineyard is an Island with fewer travel options.
“You can’t just get in the car and simply drive out of the TFR,” he said.
“If there’s a TFR on Midway airport you can still get to Chicago,” he said. “There are no other airports here; it’s very, very frustrating.”
FAA spokesman Jim Peters declined to comment yesterday on how the TFR relates to previous restrictions on the Vineyard or around the country. He added that he wasn’t sure if this will be the longest running TFR, but that he would not comment either way.
The TFR begins at 10:30 a.m. on August 23 and continues until 5 p.m. August 30.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 2:17pm
I am just glad every day that I did not vote for him and I love telling those who did "I Told You So"!I wont be affected by him coming here. I'll stay home, reading & watching movies so I dont end up like "Joe the Plumber"!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 6:30pm
What does this have to do with whether or not you voted for Obama or not? This is a post-9/11 security environment, hence the standards are more stringent than when Clinton was here. No one noticed during the last Administration because who wants to go to Crawford, TX where Bush vacationed?Tuesday, August 18, 2009 7:02pm
Wholly different circumstances in Crawford, TX. In Crawford, you don't have to take a 45 minute ferry and a half hour cab ride simply to get to the nearest airport. Inasmuch as a lot of us commute from the Vineyard in our aircraft, this may turn out to be a serious hardship unless waivers are granted to local pilots in a rational manner. I am hopeful.Wednesday, August 19, 2009 1:03am
Only the very wealthy commute to the Island in their private planes. Therefore, the TFR is not going to inconvenience the average tourist. In this post 9/11 era, everything should be done to keep our President safe. Let the owners of private planes drive and take the ferry duing the last week in August and see how the other half lives.Wednesday, August 19, 2009 6:39am
Over the last week or so I've spent hours and hours trying to get valid information about the requirements of the TFR, talking with TSA people in Washington, gathering personal data from passengers, and filling out complex forms on-line.A waiver is required for each flight in or out of MVY. All flights require that the aircraft, pilot, passengers, and baggage go thru security screening. Waivers must be applied for at least 72 hours (3 days) in advance. Returning to MVY requires stopping at a "gateway" airport for security screening.
During the last week I had charter flight requests for the last week in August totaling about $7000.
The issue is not Obama. The issue is "the president" and the associated security bubble that surrounds his movement. There are those who perceive real threats, and those who believe it's all overkill and hype promulgated by a previous administration.
The questions are: What level of protection is adequate? and How can that be intelligently managed?
The limitations we face are imposed not by politicians but by bureaucrats. As those bureaucracies gain power and mystique I question the ability of our elected representatives (congress and the president) to actually control those bureaucracies (which Louis Brownlow referred to as the faceless, headless, fourth branch of government).
With each passing day we see added restrictions and complexity which serve well to ensure the importance and longevity of well paid government employees. Does this represent real value to private sector citizens and taxpayers? I think not.
On an associated note, MVY Airport is about to submit to an FAA project expending some $7,000,000 to move the main runway to gain nothing more than technical compliance with a safety issue. It's a huge expense for a tiny improvement. At the same time the aircraft parking area pavement is severly cracked and crumbling. I know of no plans to repair it. This is a fine example of bureaucracy and the associated straightjacket of regulation run amok .... and WE are paying for it in more ways than just money.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 6:53am
how do you commute to work if the weather is bad and you can't fly?Wednesday, August 19, 2009 8:34am
OK private pilots will have to either complete the paperwork or travel to the island via a different method. However, the bi-plane rides operating from Katama Airport will lose valuable business as a result of the TFR. The fact that the TFR does not even exempt that company is what is astonishing.Wednesday, August 19, 2009 9:36am
My problem is that I just don't think a president can afford to look elitist amid such a terrible economic downturn and spend the last week of August at a 28.5-acre $20-million estate in one of the most private spots on the Vineyard complete with horse barn and multiple dwellings.Date nights in NYC, sightseeing in Paris, Rome, Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon doesn't look good all on our dime at this time.
He is well aware that his visit here will cause a major financial problem for many. Maybe first he could do a little more of "Spreading the Wealth" then he can play.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 2:51pm
Its ridiculous to think that only "the very wealthy" commute to the island via air. My family is far from wealthy, but we visit the island every August in our small airplane. Sadly, not this year.Wednesday, August 19, 2009 3:22pm
I feel bad for these pilots who may lose money as a result of all the kaos.Unless someone is going to compinsate them.Lets think Um yeah right.Also Mary in oak bluffs it is more of a relief knowing that you didnt contribute to the mess that is going to occur during his term.Thats why its good know you didnt vote for him.Mike I feel the same way and people who did vote for him are not so sure any more.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 5:32pm
The idea that the President would knowingly put the Katama Airpark out of business for a week is appalling. He demonstrates how out of touch he is with America.Wednesday, August 19, 2009 6:29pm
Unfortunately Christie's comment about wealthy aircraft owners is both all too common and not true. Aircraft owners come from all walks of life and all income levels. Owners of small aircraft often fore go expensive items that others take for granted such as boats and new cars so that they may have the privilege of flying an aircraft. In my case three people own a plane with a total value lower than many cars seen all over the island. Perpetuating the idea that all pilots are wealthy shows the writer is poorly informed. Commuting in a small aircraft can be very cost (and time) effective when compared to ferries and maintaining an extra vehicle on the other side. Vermont to the Island is an all day process with reservations required well in advance. By air it takes 1 1/2 hours and makes a weekend trip possible.The TFR's instituted since 9/11 don't significantly reduce the risk posed to the President. Instead they have caused many law abiding pilots to inadvertently violate the complicated airspace rules with possible loss of license or other sanctions. The restrictions also negatively impact aviation businesses that are located within the TFR's. Any flight school within 30 miles of the Vineyard is grounded, as are balloon rides, glider rides, bi-plane rides, model aircraft operations, model rocketry and more. How is a 10-year old on the North Cape supposed to know when he flies his model airplane or model rocket he is violating a national airspace TFR and the Secret Service may arrive and confiscate his plane or rocket? Flight instructors are not wealthy and often earn less than auto mechanics yet they are out of work for a week without pay. Airports depend on fuel sales during high season to help pay bills in the off season. The rules are draconian and do nothing to improve safety, while at the same time hundreds of uninspected cars and passengers disembark from the ferries every day.
Normally a TFR lasts hours not a week. To apply these rules over full week of high season is an undue burden that negatively impacts aviation businesses from Nantucket to Newport. Lost business does not magically appear in the off season. It is like saying a restaurant that has to close for a week in August can just open for an extra week in October instead. Cape Cod airport in Barnstable is 23 miles from MVY and provides glider tows, parachute jumping, banner towing, and a place for radio controlled airplanes -- all of which are prohibited for the entire week. Some businesses may benefit from the President's visit but others quite a distance from the Vineyard will definitely suffer a loss.
I had planned to visit the Vineyard 8/27 - 8/30 and had invited a few friends that also fly to join us for the weekend. We started planning some time ago and had to make decisions about a rental contract and deposit well before the TFR NOTAM was published. We had no idea if we or our guests would be able to fly to the Vineyard as planned. The alternative of landing on the mainland and finding other transportation to the island via cabs and ferries was expensive and time consuming. My wife and her family have driven to the Vineyard for more than 30 years so we know that drill very well. For a 4-day stay it does not make sense for us to drive. It made even less sense when trying to coordinate flying and ferries for three couples arriving from different places. Our final decision was to cancel the entire weekend. I feel for other pilots that may have planned their vacations months ago and now find, less than a week ahead -- after deposits and rents are paid -- that they must find alternate means of transportation to the island.
Please understand that I have no fault with security procedures that are reasonably required and actually enhance security. In the case of this TFR it represents bureaucrats run amuck who have no cares about the impact on regular people who don't work for the Government.
Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:38am
Everyone should stop their belly-aching. 9/11 changed everything. It's just a fact ... and regardless of the occupant of the wh, these restrictions would be in place. It's only for a week ...Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:38pm
Apparently you never paid attention to the restrictions put in place when Bush went to his ranch in TX. Same thing. Get used to it. Better yet, try flying around the DC area, they live with these types of restrictions year round. Welcome to Presidential security.Thursday, August 20, 2009 3:33pm
It is, frankly, idiocy that we citizens of this country are allowing our government to run amok with this sort of nonsense. There was no need for this type of TFR prior to 9/11 and no indication of need for it post-9/11.As a physician providing medical consultant services to the population of the Cape & Islands, all this TFR has accomplished for me is an increased cost of access, all of which will unfortunately have to get passed along to my patients. The flight time between my home base and ACK roughly doubles under a flight-plan based operation, required under the TFR. The cost therefore doubles. And naturally it means I have less time in which to see patients.
Ultimately, it is the residents of the islands who suffer most, all from government-gone-mad. Let's end this nonsense and get back to a system which worked perfectly well prior to 9/11 and which had nothing to do with the terrorist activity which has led to the TFR nonsense. Or let's tell the President to stay out of our backyard. If he can't travel without restricting the rest of us, he should stay in Washington.
Thursday, August 20, 2009 9:22pm
Welcome to my world in the DC SFRA
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